Saturday, January 31, 2015

A blend for focus performance

Stacy, over at common scents mom.com said this about the parts of the blend: 

In the following study conducted in 2001 by Dr. Terry Friedman, several essential oils were used to determine their effectiveness for common behavioral challenge in children. Vetiver was found to be the most effective in observations and brain wave scans – showing improvements in 100% of subjects! Cedarwood essential oil was 83% effective, and lavender 53%.CASE STUDY DR. TERRY FRIEDMAN, M.D. This case study was conducted for two years, from 1999-2001. Using Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Twenty subjects [without diagnosed behavioral challenges] were used as the control group.

Twenty subjects with a [doctor] confirmed [behavioral challenge] of ADD/ADHD were used as the study group. Each group was pre-tested using a baseline evaluation with real time EEG and The T.O.V.A. Scale. The essential oils chosen for the case study were Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood and Brain Power (a blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood, Melissa, Cedarwood, Blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum.) The oils were administered in this fashion: one of the oils were administered by inhalation 3 times a day for 30 days.An inhalation device was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil. The subject then inhaled when needed, about 3 times during the day when they began to feel “scattered”. The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the brainwaves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.
Each subject was tested on each oil for 30 days and then reevaluated by testing. Then another oil was used for 30 days and reevaluated, until each of the oils had been tested. Lastly, oil combinations were used, each for a 30 day period. (Brain Power with Lavender, with Cedarwood, and Vetiver.) The final results were: Lavender increased performance by 53%,  Cedarwood increased performance by 83% and Vetiver increased performance by 100%. This study was published in the American Medical Association Journal.

Cedarwood
One of the most ancient of all the essential oils, Cedarwood helps to oxygenates the brain, resulting in clarity of thought. This oil comes from the Cedar tree (see picture below) and stimulates limbic region of the brain which helps to balance emotions. It also stimulates the pinneal gland which helps regulate melatonin. Moreover, Cedarwood has a calming effect, especially when diffused into the air.
- See more at: http://www.phillipsessentials.com/2013/01/oils-to-help-reduce-add-and-adhd-symptoms/#sthash.H3SunJg0.dpuf
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The Essential Oils Pocket Reference has this to say about using Cedarwood to help people with ADD and ADHD type symptoms:
Terry Friedmann, MD, found in clinical tests that this oil was able to successfully treat ADD and ADHD (attention deficit disorders) in children. It is recognized for its calming, purifying properties.
VetiverThis single oil is psychologically grounding, calming and stabilizing. It thus extremely helpful for centering and focusing.In 2001 Terry Friedmann, MD, completed pioneering studies using essential oils to combat ADD and ADHD. He was able to achieve clinically significant results in 60 days. Vetiver was one of the oils he used.

In research conducted in 2001 at Osaka Kyoiku university, lavender was found to increase alertness and reduce mental stress. It improves concentration and researchers have found that inhaling lavender increased beta waves in the brain, helping the brain to relax at the same time as improving cognitive performance.
Among the many benefits of Lavender is that it helps with calming and concentration.
This was another oil that Terry Friedmann, MD, found could reduce ADD and ADHD symptoms.